System and method for creating ribbon flowers

ABSTRACT

A ribbon is provided having a pull string portion extending along a first edge of the ribbon, along the length of the ribbon, the pull string portion having a series of holes therein extending longitudinally along the first edge. A petal portion extends along a second edge of the ribbon having a predefined shape. A string is positioned within the holes in the pull string portion, the string being disposed within the holes in alternating fashion between a first surface of the ribbon and an opposing surface of the ribbon. The ribbon, including the pull sting portion and the petal portion is configured to be folded in half such that opposing ends of the ribbon may be slid along the string into a bunch, forming a flower.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present arrangement relates to a ribbon. More particularly, the present arrangement relates to a ribbon for making a flower or other decorative element.

2. Description of Related Art

In the area of craft products and ribbons, such as decorative ribbons, it has long been a practice to use ribbon as an adornment on packages or gifts. Such ribbons can also be used in craft applications such as scrapbook adornments. In addition to applying the ribbon to either packages or craft applications, additional ribbon may be used to form a bow which is essentially a series of loops compressed at the center. Such loop bows are difficult to make from loose ribbon and, unless the maker is experienced, they tend to not be aesthetically pleasing.

In the prior art such loop bows are fashioned as a separate element to be used as a package adornment in addition to the basic ribbon, sometimes sold as sets or in otherwise matching colors. These separate pre-made loop bow elements are usually affixed to a sticker pad which can be attached to the package or craft product. Although these arrangements provide more aesthetically correct bows they are typically of limited style.

In another prior art arrangement, such as shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,030,719 and 4,812,338, there are ribbons that have been provided for forming such looped bows by providing a ribbon with a series of holes therein along the length of the ribbon. Running through the holes is a string or fabric that weaves in and out between the top and bottom surfaces of the ribbon. When a user holds the two string ends and pulls on a given length of such ribbon, the ribbon folds up to a bow. Although this makes the process easier for making a bow from a ribbon it still only results in a traditional loop style bow.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY

As noted above, in addition to the traditional uses for decorative bows, such elements have been more frequently used in scrapbooking and other craft projects. As such a need has arisen for a more stylish and decorative bow arrangement that is simultaneously easy to use and does not require excessive training or experience to achieve a quality product.

The present arrangement provides for a ribbon with a pull string there through that when pulled results in a decorative flower (or flower bow) that mimics the look of an actual flower. The ribbon is cut to have a pull region and a petal region where the proportions between the two regions as well as the shape and size of the petals, coupled with the location and placement of the holes and through string in the pull region result in a ribbon being bunched into the shape of a particular flower.

For example a ribbon with a first set of petal regions having a first shape and dimension with a corresponding ribbon portion with a first arrangement of holes for the pull string would result in a particular flower when a given length of ribbon is pulled into a flower. When a ribbon with second set of petal regions having a second shape and dimension with a corresponding ribbon portion with a second arrangement of holes for the pull string is pulled, it would result in a different flower from the first flower. Such an arrangement thus provides an improved decorative quality and style selection while retaining an ease of use for armature users that still produces quality adornments.

To this end the present arrangement is directed to a ribbon having a pull string portion extending along a first edge of the ribbon, along the length of the ribbon, the pull string portion having a series of holes therein extending longitudinally along the first edge. A petal portion extends along a second edge of the ribbon having a predefined shape. A string is positioned within the holes in the pull string portion, the string being disposed within the holes in alternating fashion between a first surface of the ribbon and an opposing surface of the ribbon. The ribbon, including the pull sting portion and the petal portion is configured to be folded in half such that opposing ends of the ribbon may be slid along the string into a bunch, forming a flower.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention can be best understood through the following description and accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary flower pull ribbon in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary flower pull ribbon in accordance with another embodiment;

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary flower pull ribbon in accordance with another embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating the steps for converting a flower pull ribbon;

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary flower pull ribbon being folded for a flower making operation in accordance with another embodiment;

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary flower pull ribbon being pulled on the pull string for a flower making operation in accordance with another embodiment;

FIG. 7 illustrates a flower pull ribbon after being pulled into a flower in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 8 illustrates a flower pull ribbon after being pulled into a flower in accordance with another embodiment; and

FIG. 9 illustrates a flower pull ribbon after being pulled into a flower in accordance with another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In one embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIG. 1, a ribbon 10 is provided. As illustrated, ribbon 10 has a pull string region 12 that runs the longitudinal length of ribbon 10 with a series of holes 14 therein. Within ribbon holes 14 a string 16 is inserted there through alternately weaving in and out between first and second surfaces of ribbon 10.

As shown in FIG. 1, ribbon 10 also exhibits a series of discrete petal cut outs 20 having the shape of a particular flower petal, which in this case is for a lotus flower. In between petal cut outs 20 are a series of pistil/stamen cut outs 22. These pistil/stamen cutouts mimic the shape of various internal flower components.

In one arrangement, ribbon 10 is a double-sided satin ribbon, but the invention is not limited in that respect. The material make up used to produce the satin weave is preferably polyester and rayon, but the invention is likewise not limited in that respect. The polyester and rayon satin weave for ribbon 10 has been found by the present inventors to produce a quality simulacra of flower petals, but other materials for satin weaves may also produce realistic flower petals, based on the different varietals of flowers.

As with ribbon 10, pull string 16 is likewise preferably made of a satin weaved cord made from polyester and rayon fabrics. Applicants note that the below described pull function of flower ribbon 10 can produce friction during creation that can cause a defective outcome if the components do not fold together correctly. As such, the combination of satin (polyester and rayon) ribbon 10 with matching satin (polyester and rayon) string 16 is preferable for ribbon 10 to properly pull down on string 16 to achieve a realistic flower 100.

In one embodiment, the ideal shape and size for ribbon 10 is approximately 28 mm-50 mm in width (height of petal cutouts 20) to approximate the flowers being replicated, but other dimensions for the width of petal cut outs 20 may be used.

It is noted that the design of ribbon 10 described above and shown in FIG. 1 is only exemplary and not intended to limit the scope of the invention. For example as shown in FIG. 2, another ribbon 10 is shown having substantially the same structure and parts. However, in FIG. 2, instead of forming a lotus as would be formed from the ribbon in FIG. 1, the ribbon of FIG. 2 is used to form a pansy. To achieve this, petal cutouts 20 have a different shape with a roughed/scalloped top instead of a pointed top/tip, with the net result being that when ribbon 10 of FIG. 2 is pulled together as explained in more detail below, the resultant flower has a different appearance than the ribbon 10 shown in FIG. 1.

As another example shown in FIG. 3, another ribbon 10 is shown having substantially the same structure and parts. However, in FIG. 3, instead of forming lotus, the ribbon of FIG. 3 is used to form a rose. To achieve this, petal cutouts 20 have a different shape with a roughed scalloped and thinner depth (the uncut ribbon portion 12 is wider) and the pistil/stamen regions 22 have been removed, with the net result being that when ribbon 10 of FIG. 3 is pulled together the resultant flower has a the appearance of a rose. Applicants note that the there are no real limits on the number of shape of ribbons 10 and that essentially any flower can be mimicked in some capacity.

Turning to the formation of the flowers from ribbons 10, FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the basic operation for changing ribbon 10 into a finished flower 100. At a first step 200, a user begins by selecting a desired fullness and thickness for flower 100 which is controlled by the length of ribbon 10 to be used. For example, for any given length of ribbon 10, the resultant flower 100 will have a certain number of petals (i.e. the number of petal regions 20). If more or less petals are desired based on the aesthetic affect desired, longer or shorter amounts of ribbon 10 may be used/cut. For example for a typical flower 100 one preferable length of ribbon 10 is in the range of about 1 foot to 1 yard, however the user may select any desired length.

At step 202, after ribbon 10 is cut, the user folds ribbon 10 in half and grasps the two associated ends of thread 16 as shown in FIG. 5. At step 204 as shown in FIG. 6, while holding the two ends of thread 16 with one hand, the user with the other hand slides the two associated ends of ribbon 10 down towards the half/fold point as shown in FIG. 6 forming a partial flower 100 as the various petal regions 20 begin to crunch together. This can be done by pinching and sliding ribbon 10 at the two free/cut ends of pulls string region 12 while holding string 16. As an alternative, the user can hold the free ends of ribbon 10 (instead of string 16) and pull on string 16 (instead of ribbon 10) with the same net result as this is essentially a mirror operation of the above described steps 202 and 204. The user can decide which process here works better for him.

Because string 16 is threaded through pull string region 12, below the respective petal regions and/or pistil/stamen regions 22, pull string region tends to bunch together closely around string 16 at the center of flower 100 with petal regions 20 extending outward mimicking the structure of an actual flower. Additionally, because string 16 passed through holes 14 in pull string region 12, which is located along an edge of ribbon 10, in a zig zag manner, when ribbon 10 is pulled down along string 16 as shown in FIG. 6, ribbon 10 bunches in the area of pull string region 12 in a radiating manner. This causes the associated petal regions 20 to likewise radiate out from the center causing the resultant flower 100 to mimic a real flower.

For example, FIG. 7 shows the finished lotus flowers 100 associated with ribbon 10 from FIG. 1. FIG. 8 shows the finished pansy flowers 100 associated with ribbon 10 from FIG. 2. FIG. 9 shows the finished roses/flower 100 associated with ribbon 10 from FIG. 3. After flowers 100 are completed at the end of step 204, at step 206 a user may optionally tie strings 16 to make sure flower 100 retains its shape so that is can be placed appropriately as an adornment in the desired location.

While only certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes or equivalents will now occur to those skilled in the art. It is therefore, to be understood that this application is intended to cover all such modifications and changes that fall within the true spirit of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A ribbon comprising: a pull string portion extending along a first edge of said ribbon, along the length of said ribbon, said pull string portion having a series of holes therein extending longitudinally along said first edge; a petal portion, said petal portion extending along a second edge of said ribbon, having a predefined shape; and a string positioned within said holes in said pull string portion, said string being disposed within said holes in an alternating fashion between a first surface of said ribbon and an opposing surface of said ribbon, wherein said ribbon, including said pull string portion and said petal portion is configured to be folded in half such that opposing ends of said ribbon may be slid along said string into a bunch forming a flower.
 2. The ribbon as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pull string portion and said petal portion of said ribbon are constructed of a satin weave made from polyester and rayon fabric.
 3. The ribbon as claimed in claim 1, wherein said string positioned within said holes in an alternating fashion between said first surface of said ribbon and said opposing surface of said ribbon is such that when said string is pulled said pull sting portion folds in a back and forth manner to form a center of said flower with said petal portion extending outward there from.
 4. The ribbon as claimed in claim 1, wherein said predefined shape of said petal portion has a first shape to form a first type of said flower.
 5. The ribbon as claimed in claim 1, wherein said petal portion has a width of substantially 28 mm-50 mm. 